A pre-school has been officially recognised for its work effectively preparing children for school life.

The Coopersale Pre-School in Institute Road, Epping, received an “Outstanding” OFSTED rating yesterday after an inspection earlier this month.

Outstanding is the highest possible rating, meaning the pre-school "is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well".

The rating is an improvement for the pre-school, which had previously been rated as "requires improvement" following a 2011 report.

In the report, staff are praised for the way they work with the children to help them learn and develop.

It says: "Staff provide children with a very welcoming and organised environment.

“Children settle well, are happy and form strong bonds and attachments with peers and staff."

Praise was also given to the staff’s close relationship to parents, who are given high levels of input and feedback on activities and learning at the school.

Owner Cathy Kemp, 51, said the grade was a reflection of the effort she and others put into running the pre-school.

She said: “The inspectors know everything, to get ‘Outstanding’ is like winning the lottery.

“It is great, you can never tell because the parents have their say, but I put my heart and soul into it.

“The inspector said it is more like a school.”

Ms Kemp has been running the nursery for 15 years although she has been involved for 22, and she is now joined by her 24-year-old daughter, Sally-Anne.

The pre-school produces a newsletter every month, and parents are encouraged to involve themselves in the decisions affecting their children.

She said: “I do work really closely with the parents because at the end of the day parents should be involved in their child’s day to day life and learning.

“We will keep adding to what we do and stay where we are.”